Week 46

This was the view out of my loft window Tuesday afternoon when I sat at my desk to write.

The snow fell fast and furious Monday evening and we decided not to go to Stephan's dinner. The next morning very early we were on the road for Michael's cataract surgery scheduled for 6:45 a.m.! I was his driver on the way home. Thankfully, we made it back safely.

Most of the week the scenery was rather bleak and bare, except when a beautiful woodpecker visited the feeders.

Wednesday, November 13, the two-year anniversary of Lynn's passing, I thought about my brother and imagined him looking down on me instead.

Rita and new little brother Lynn 71 years ago

Another jaunt back in time happened as we attended the Ontario Systems celebration Thursday evening and walked down the hall lined with friends and coworkers from years ago. It was probably ten years ago that Michael walked out of there after twenty three years with the company. Large photos from the archives were displayed all around.

Promo photo of the dialer Michael designed

Ontario Systems Celebrates Nearly 40 Years of History and Community Impact

We especially appreciated the opportunity to greet and thank Wil and Ron for their example of integrity and the impact on our lives. Their vision statement was: "Passionate people, serving others, driving a strong economy." Faith in God and care for people were always evident. They strongly believed God would lead them into the good works He had prepared beforehand for them (Ephesians 2:10).

Wil Davis and Ron Fauquher, the founders

It took me most of the week to unpack the boxes and put away the pottery from the craft fair last weekend. In the process I rearranged and condensed the entire display.

During this week of surgery, post op visit, and a schedule of multiple daily eye drops, Michael has slowed down somewhat. 

Saturday was a long work day at the Matthews robotics headquarters. Some team members and friends converged there to move much of the equipment stored in the warehouse next door into the nearly renovated spaces.

Ever since the move from Madjax, it has been very difficult to find basic tools in the MESS that was the accumulation of many loads dumped there from the Muncie shop.

Storage area in contiguous warehouse

The next day when we walked through, I was amazed at the progress--a nice reception desk in the entryway, donated cubicles set up to section off areas, tools moved into the carpentry shop, carpet down, the playing field beginning to take shape, and the machine shop equipment mostly set up.

Entry; cubicles; carpenter shop; playing field; machine shop

And yet there is so much work to do before the first open house next week! 

So, what did I do while Michael was working in Matthews? I drove up to Grace Village for a short visit with Mother before going to Malachi's birthday celebration.

We visited friend and fellow-missionary "Aunt Margaret" in her Independent Living apartment. Her son David was there. He looks in on her every day. I asked him about his memories of growing up in Argentina. He related his joys and struggles. At one point Mother asked (using her talking machine): "Do you ever regret that you are a missionary kid?" He said that sometimes he had, especially as a teenager.

After I left Mother at her table in the dining room, I headed to the restaurant in Warsaw for Malachi's early birthday family celebration. Only Grandma Debby and I were able to make it.

Malachi will be 21 on November 21st! He may have been embarrassed by the all-restaurant version of the birthday song. Zion may have enjoyed the blowing-out-the-candles tradition more than the birthday guy :-)

But from my perspective, family times are always precious.